Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

KUKU Farms is a social impact venture that seeks to revolutionize the poultry feed industry by rearing Black Soldier Flies as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional feed sources.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Our venture's core is the production of black soldier fly larvae, cultivated on organic waste materials. This provides a rich protein and fat source for poultry and aligns with our circular economy principles, transforming waste into value. We believe in a theory of change where small shifts in feed sourcing can lead to significant improvements in farmers' livelihoods, reduced environmental strain from traditional feed production, and greater food security through more affordable poultry products. We plan to breed and harvest black soldier fly larvae, collaborate with local farmers for feed trials and adoption, and conduct outreach and education to overcome reluctance towards new feed types. We also plan to engage in market research to understand farmers' needs and to tailor our services accordingly.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Smallholder chicken farmers in rural Kenya spend 70% of their income on chicken feed and 18% on vaccines, with profits of just about 12% of their income. KUKU Farms tackles the issue of prohibitive poultry feed costs (where 70% of their income goes) faced by these farmers. Our venture introduces an economical and sustainable alternative by cultivating black soldier fly larvae on organic waste, aiming to alleviate poverty, enhance food security, and promote environmental sustainability.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Empower small-holder poultry farmers by reducing their feed costs by 43%, which are often a major financial burden, improve environmental sustainability through waste reduction and resource recycling, and increase profits of small-scale poultry farmers from 18% to 51%.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Small-scale poultry farmers

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-10-20

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Edna Antwi, Co-founder: Skills: Financial management, budgeting, risk assessment. Experience: Business Administration major with a focus on finance. Treasurer of the University's Student Council club. Managed budgets for student-run clubs and projects.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

n/a

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

3

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

5

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Sigma Feeds, Pioneer Feeds, and Unga Farm Care Limited Kuku Farms provides a cost-effective and disease-resistant feed alternative, potentially doubling chicken growth rates compared to competitors.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

no